CENTER TWP — Longtime comic book reader Rick Grossman was right at home at the Pittsburgh Comic and Collectibles Show at the Clearview Mall.

“I’ve been reading comics for 50 years,” Grossman said Saturday.

The show, which was run by New Dimension Comics, had several comic book vendors, appearances by artists, costumed characters from Star Wars and tables set up for playing the game Magic the Gathering.

This was Grossman’s third year at the event. He used to collect Avengers comics, but he had completed his set and now mostly looks for different items.

He said he prefers comics that remind him of the 1960s when he first started collecting.

“I just kind of read what catches my eye,” Grossman said.

At his Barkeyville home, he has about 1,000 comic books. He said his wife does not mind.

“She knew that when I married her,” Grossman said, noting that there are a lot worse things he could be collecting.

Ashlee Fonner of Allegheny Township said her favorite comic book characters include Nightcrawler and Loki. She was wearing a Loki T-shirt.

“I’m just looking,” said Fonner, who was at the show for the first time.

She was there with her father, John Fonner, who said that enjoying comic books and activities related to them runs in the family.

“We’ve got all the Marvel movies,” he said, saying he likes the “Avengers” and is excited to see “Deadpool.”

They also started to play Magic the Gathering a few months ago, but Ashlee Fonner said they would not play in the tournament at the show.

“We’re not good enough to participate,” Fonner said

“But we will check it out,” her father added.

Arielle Eiger of Grove City seemed to enjoy checking out the boxes full of books.

“My thing is I just like to browse,” Eiger said.

She said her favorite comic is Avengelyne. Eiger also is a fan of World of Warcraft, and noted that there was a role-playing game section at the show.

This was her second time at the event. Last year, she said she found several comics she was interested in — some for only 25 cents.

Events like these attract vendors.

Art DeMeo of Shaler Township said he is not a professional seller, but just a collector looking to free up some space at his home. He has about 8,000 comics he wants to sell. His total collection is about 28,000.

He said he likes going to these types of shows, both as a collector and seller.

“It’s nice to get out and talk to people, and to be on the other side of the table,” said DeMeo, who has been reading and collecting comics since he was 8.

Jacob Yuele sold at the show last year, and said it was successful.

“We always do well,” Yuele said.

He had about 6,000 comics for sale Saturday. Some of the rarer comics he had included Justice League of America #1, with a $995 price tag, and Batman #15, with a $450 price tag.

Yuele said he sells about two $1,000 comics per year, but said having a few to sell is essential because collectors seek them out.